School desk organizer

ABSTRACT

An organizer for use with a school desk includes a tray having a bottom and four integrally formed side walls, a removable divider wall extending between two of the side walls, the divider wall removably retained by connecting features on the intersecting side walls. The removable divider wall includes a plurality of first connectors spaced apart by predetermined distances along the divider wall adapted to removably retain a secondary divider, and at least one side wall opposite the divider has a plurality of second connectors spaced apart corresponding to the first connectors of the divider and adapted to removably retain the secondary divider. Each corresponding first connector and second connector are adapted to removably retain the secondary divider therebetween. The organizer may be used with a school desk having a cavity beneath a desktop, the cavity comprising a cavity height and cavity width and an access opening, and wherein the width of the organizer tray is between 85% and 100% of the cavity width, the height of the side walls less than the cavity height, and the organizer tray fitting substantially within the desk cavity.

The present application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Application 61/401,444, filed Aug. 13, 2010.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY

School desks for children in primary schools, i.e. grade schools, ofteninclude a book box or a book storage compartment. The book and storagebox of many conventional desks is positioned under the desktop,accessible from the front of the compartment, or by lifting the desktopfor top access. These desk storage cavities are used for holding studentbooks, notebooks and ordinary paraphernalia such as pencil box, pencils,pens, rulers, erasers, etc. In the past, it has been difficult toorganize a desk book box, especially a front-opening compartment,because one has to reach into the compartment from the front, making itdifficult to arrange the contents. The disorganized desks make it moretime-consuming to switch from one lesson to another, easier to loseimportant items, and makes the desk a less desirable workspace for thestudent. There remains a need to organize a student's workspace withoutthe high cost of additional furniture or replacing the old desks in theclassroom.

What is disclosed is an organizer for use with a school desk, theorganizer comprising:

-   -   a tray having a bottom and four integrally formed side walls        extending upwardly from the bottom,    -   a removable divider wall extending between two of the side        walls, the divider wall removably retained by connecting        features on said two of the side walls, a secondary divider        comprising a first engaging portion on a first end and a second        engaging portion on a second end,    -   the removable divider wall comprising a plurality of first        connectors spaced apart by predetermined distances along the        divider wall, each first connector comprising a cavity portion        having an upper opening adapted to receive the first engaging        portion of the secondary divider and a retaining portion adapted        to removably retain the secondary divider,    -   at least one side wall opposite the divider comprising a        plurality of second connectors, the second connectors in the        side wall spaced apart corresponding to the first connectors of        the divider, each second connector comprising a cavity portion        having an upper opening adapted to receive the second engaging        portion of the secondary divider and a retaining portion adapted        to removably retain the secondary divider,    -   each corresponding first connector and second connector adapted        to removably retain the secondary divider therebetween.

The side wall opposite the divider comprising the second connectors mayalso include a groove corresponding to each second connector adapted toreceive a portion of the second end of the secondary divider.

The cavity portion of the first connector and/or the second connectormay include a slot. Alternatively or additionally, the cavity portionand retaining portion of the first connector and/or the second connectorforms a T-slot.

The connecting features on the side walls intersecting the divider walleach may have a cavity portion having an upper opening adapted toreceive a divider wall engaging portion and a retaining portion adaptedto removably retain the removable divider wall.

The cavity portion of at least one of the connecting features mayinclude a slot. Alternatively or additionally, the cavity portion andretaining portion of at least one of the connecting features forms aT-slot.

Each side wall may include a step. Additionally, each side wall may besloped between one and 15 degrees In one alternative, one side wall orthe tray is a front wall having at least one opening therethrough. Eachorganizer may be nestable with another organizer when the removabledivider wall and the secondary divider are removed.

Optionally, the bottom of the tray includes a recess in the bottom, andthe removable divider wall comprises a protrusion extending therefromcorresponding to the recess, the protrusion and the recess positionedsuch that the protrusion engages the recess when the removable dividerwall is installed in the tray.

In one application, the organizer may be used with a school desk, theschool desk comprising a cavity beneath a desktop, the cavity comprisinga cavity height and cavity width and an access opening, and wherein thewidth of the organizer tray being between 85% and 100% of the cavitywidth, the height of the side walls being less than the cavity height,the organizer tray fitting substantially within the desk cavity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the school desk organizer of the presentdisclosure,

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a removable divider wall removed fromthe organizer of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a secondary divider removed from theorganizer of FIG. 1,

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the desk organizer of FIG. 1,

FIG. 5 is a detail view of the connection between the removable dividerand a wall of the organizer,

FIG. 6 is a detail view of the connection between the secondary dividerand the removable divider wall,

FIG. 7 is a detail view of the connection between the secondary dividerwall and a wall of the organizer, and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a school desk for use with the presentschool desk organizer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Disclosed herein is a school desk organizer intended for use by gradeschool children sitting at a school desk having an integrated storagecompartment. The present school desk organizer for use with theintegrated storage compartment of a school desk includes a box, i.e. atray, with integral front, back and opposite sidewalls and one, two,three or four internal dividers. The unit is preferably made ofinjection molded plastic.

In accordance with our invention, we provide a school desk organizerwhich can be inserted into a conventional student desk and is capable ofholding student books, notebooks and ordinary paraphernalia such aspencil box, pencils, pens, rulers, erasers, etc. Our school deskorganizer comprises integral front, back and opposite side walls and abottom extending between the front, back and side walls to define agenerally rectangular tray with slightly sloped sides at the bottomcoming to second layer at the top such as a lip or flange that allowsthe school desk organizer to nest one inside the other for shipping.Within the tray we utilize one, two, three or four dividers, which inone embodiment extends between the front and back walls parallel to andspaced from the sidewalls to define two or three compartments. The sidedividers are adjustable to form various sizes of compartments in thetray. In one alternative, the dividers utilize T-slots in the dividersand in the tray as discussed below. The T-slots allow the dividers tofasten securely so form a fixed wall when the divider is installed, yetthe divider is removable.

As discussed below, we incorporate two cutouts in the front wall wherethe user may grip the school desk organizer in order to pull it out ofthe school desk storage compartment. The entire box including thepartitions is preferably integrally made of injection molded plastic soas to be both useful, durable and economical to manufacture.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a school desk organizer 10 includes a tray 12having a bottom 20 and four integrally formed side walls extendingupwardly from the bottom 20. The four side walls include a front wall22, a rear wall 24, left side wall 26 and right side wall 28. Aremovable divider wall 30 extends between two of the side walls, such asbetween the front wall 22 and the rear wall 24 as shown in FIG. 1. Theremovable divider wall 30 is removably retained by connecting features32 on the intersecting walls. A secondary divider 40 may be adjustablypositioned between the removable divider wall 30 and a side wallopposite the removable divider 30. The secondary divider 40, shown inFIG. 3 removed from the organizer, has a first engaging portion 42 on afirst end 44 and a second engaging portion 46 on a second end 48 forremovably connecting one end of the secondary divider 40 to theremovable divider wall 30 and the other end of the secondary divider tothe desired side wall opposite the removable divider 30.

The removable divider wall 30 includes a plurality of first connectors50 spaced apart by predetermined distances along the divider wall 30such as shown in FIG. 2. As shown in the detail of FIG. 6, each firstconnector 50 comprises a cavity portion 52 having an upper opening 54adapted to receive the first engaging portion 42 of the secondarydivider and a retaining portion 56 adapted to removably retain the firstengaging portion 42 on the secondary divider 40. The retaining portion56 may at least partially interlock with the first engaging portion 42to hold the first end 44 of the secondary divider 40 in place.

The cavity portion 52 of the first connector 50 may include a slot 58.In one alternative, the slot 58 is a T-slot formed by the cavity portion52 and the retaining portion 56.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 7, at least one side wall opposite the dividercomprises a plurality of second connectors 60. The second connectors 60in the side wall are spaced apart corresponding to the first connectors50 of the removable divider 30. Each second connector 60 comprises acavity portion 62 having an upper opening 64 adapted to receive thesecond engaging portion 46 of the secondary divider 40 and a retainingportion 66 adapted to removably retain the second engaging portion 46 ofthe secondary divider 40. The retaining portion 66 may at leastpartially interlock with the second engaging portion 46 to hold thesecond end 48 of the secondary divider 40 in place.

The cavity portion 62 of the second connector 60 may include a slot 68.In one alternative, the slot 68 is a T-slot formed by the cavity portion62 and the retaining portion 66. The secondary divider 40 is removablyretained between a corresponding first connector and second connector asselected by the user of the organizer.

The shape of the tray 12 is such that the tray 12 is nestable with asecond organizer tray when the removable divider wall 30 and thesecondary divider 40 are removed. In this way, the trays 12 may benested together in stacks for shipping and distribution of theorganizers, and for storage of the trays 12 in a classroom or storagearea. Each side wall 22, 24, 26, 28, may comprise a step 70. The step 70may be such that a lower portion of the side walls is inset a desiredamount toward the interior of the tray as shown in FIG. 1. The step 70is positioned such that when nested, at least a portion of the step 70on at least one side wall of one tray rests on a corresponding upperportion of side walls of a second tray beneath it. The upper portion ofthe side walls 22, 24, 26, 28 may have a lip or flange.

One or more of the side walls 22, 24, 26, 28 may be outwardly slopedbetween 1 and 15 degrees. In one embodiment, the side walls 22, 24, 26,28 are sloped at an outward angle between about 5 and 10 degrees.

As shown in FIG. 7, at least one of the side walls opposite the dividermay include a groove 72 corresponding to each second connector 60adapted to receive a portion of the second end 48 of the secondarydivider. The groove 72 may be positioned between the bottom 20 and thesecond connector 60 such that the second end 48 of the secondary divider40 will engage the groove 72 to inhibit movement of the end 48. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 1, the groove 72 is formed in the step 70 andaligned with the second connector 60.

As discussed above, the removable divider wall 30 is removably retainedby connecting features 32 on the intersecting walls. In the exampleshown in FIG. 1, the removable divider wall 30 is positioned between thefront wall 22 and the rear wall 24 retained using the divider wallconnecting features 32. The connecting features 32 on the intersectingtwo side walls each may have the same geometry as the second connectors60 on the side wall, as shown in FIG. 5. The connecting features 32 mayinclude the cavity portion 62 having the upper opening 64 adapted toreceive a divider wall engaging portion 74, and the retaining portion 66adapted to removably retain the removable divider wall 30. The cavityportion 62 of the divider wall connecting features 32 may include theslot 68. As discussed above with reference to the second connector 60,the slot 68 in the connecting features 32 may be a T-slot formed by thecavity portion 62 and the retaining portion 66. The retaining portion 66may at least partially interlock with the divider wall engaging portion74 to hold the divider wall 30 in place.

The front wall 22 of the tray 12 may include at least one opening 80therethrough. The opening 80 may be a recess in an upper portion of thefront wall 22 as shown in FIG. 1. The opening 80 may be sized andpositioned for viewing at least a portion of the contents of theorganizer from the front. Alternatively or additionally, the opening 80may sized and positioned such that a user can grasp the front wall 22 atthe opening 80 to use as a pulling handle. In yet another alternative,the opening 80 may be sized such that a user can reach through theopening to remove items from the organizer.

In one alternative, the bottom 20 includes at least one recess 82 in thebottom 20, and the removable divider wall 30 has at least one protrusion84 extending therefrom positioned corresponding to the recess 82. Theprotrusion 84 and the recess 82 are positioned such that the protrusion84 engages the recess 82 when the removable divider wall 30 is installedin the tray.

In one application, the school desk organizer 10 is sized to fit withina book box 88 of a primary school desk 90, such as shown in FIG. 8. Theschool desk 90 includes a desktop 92, and a plurality of supporting legs94.

The book box 88 includes an access opening 96 through which items may beplaced in the storage cavity of the book box 88. The book box 88 may bea front-opening compartment as shown in FIG. 8 having a storage cavitytherein. Alternatively, the school desk 90 may be a lift-lid style deskwherein the desktop 92 pivots upwardly for accessing the book box 88. Itis contemplated that the school desk organizer 10 may be adapted to fitwithin book boxes of other school desk configurations.

In any event, the school desk organizer 10 is sized for the tray 12 tofit substantially within the book box cavity, i.e. the desk cavity. Thewidth of the tray 12 may be between 85% and 100% of the width of thedesk cavity, and the height of the side walls of the tray 12 being lessthan the height of the desk cavity such that the desk organizer 10 fitswithin the book box 88.

In a desk with a front-opening book box 88, the school desk organizer 10is sized to slide into and out of the access opening 96 in the front ofthe desk. A user may use the present organizer as a drawer by slidingthe organizer partially from the cavity, and sliding it back in return.Alternatively, when the desk is a lift-top desk, the school deskorganizer 10 is sized to fit within the book box such that the desktopcloses without interference with the school desk organizer 10.

The school desk organizer 10 may be made by injection molding, and madeof a thermoplastic selected from various available grades ofpolypropylene, polyethylene, ABS, polycarbonate, high impactpolystyrene, polyester, or other suitable thermoplastic as desired. Inone alternative, the school desk organizer 10 is molded using ABS. Inanother alternative, the tray may be molded using one material, such ashigh density polyethylene, and the dividers molded out of anothermaterial such as ABS. The material may be selected considering materialproperties including durability strength, stiffness, impact resistanceand other desired properties.

This invention has been described with reference to illustrativeembodiments and is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Thepresent invention is not limited to the specific embodiments providedherein but only as set forth in the accompanying claims. Variousmodifications of the illustrative embodiments, as well as additionalembodiments to the invention will be apparent to persons skilled in theart upon reference to this description.

What is claimed is:
 1. An organizer for use with a school desk, theorganizer comprising: a tray having a bottom and four integrally formedside walls extending upwardly from the bottom, a removable divider wallextending between two of the side walls, the divider wall removablyretained by connecting features on said two of the side walls, asecondary divider comprising a first engaging portion on a first end anda second engaging portion on a second end, the removable divider wallcomprising a plurality of first connectors spaced apart by predetermineddistances along the divider wall, each first connector comprising acavity portion having an upper opening adapted to receive the firstengaging portion of the secondary divider and a retaining portionadapted to removably retain the secondary divider, at least one sidewall opposite the divider comprising a plurality of second connectors,the second connectors in the side wall spaced apart corresponding to thefirst connectors of the divider, each second connector comprising acavity portion having an upper opening adapted to receive the secondengaging portion of the secondary divider and a retaining portionadapted to removably retain the secondary divider, each correspondingfirst connector and second connector adapted to removably retain thesecondary divider therebetween.
 2. The organizer according to claim 1,where the at least one side wall opposite the divider further comprisesa groove corresponding to each second connector adapted to receive aportion of the second end of the secondary divider.
 3. The organizeraccording to claim 1, where the cavity portion of the first connectorand/or the second connector comprises a slot.
 4. The organizer accordingto claim 1, where the cavity portion and retaining portion of the firstconnector and/or the second connector forms a T-slot.
 5. The organizeraccording to claim 1, the connecting features on said two of the sidewalls each comprising a cavity portion having an upper opening adaptedto receive a divider wall engaging portion and a retaining portionadapted to removably retain the removable divider wall.
 6. The organizeraccording to claim 5, where the cavity portion of at least one of theconnecting features comprises a slot.
 7. The organizer according toclaim 5, where the cavity portion and retaining portion of at least oneof the connecting features forms a T-slot.
 8. The organizer according toclaim 1, where each side wall comprises a step.
 9. The organizeraccording to claim 1, where one side wall is a front wall comprising atleast one opening therethrough.
 10. The organizer according to claim 1,where each side wall is sloped between one and 15 degrees.
 11. Theorganizer according to claim 1, where the bottom comprises a recess inthe bottom, and the removable divider wall comprises a protrusionextending therefrom corresponding to the recess, the protrusion and therecess positioned such that the protrusion engages the recess when theremovable divider wall is installed in the tray.
 12. The organizeraccording to claim 1, where the organizer is nestable with a secondorganizer when the removable divider wall and the secondary divider areremoved.
 13. A school desk and organizer comprising: a school deskcomprising a cavity beneath a desktop, the cavity comprising a cavityheight and cavity width and an access opening, an organizer comprising:a tray having a bottom and four integrally formed side walls extendingupwardly from the bottom, the width of the tray being between 85% and100% of the cavity width, the height of the side walls being less thanthe cavity height, the tray fitting substantially within the deskcavity, the organizer further comprising: a removable divider wallextending between two of the side walls, the divider wall removablyretained by connecting features on said two of the side walls, asecondary divider comprising a first engaging portion on a first end anda second engaging portion on a second end, the removable divider wallcomprising a plurality of first connectors spaced apart by predetermineddistances along the divider wall, each first connector comprising acavity portion having an upper opening adapted to receive the firstengaging portion of the secondary divider and a retaining portionadapted to removably retain the secondary divider, at least one sidewall opposite the divider comprising a plurality of second connectors,the second connectors in the side wall spaced apart corresponding to thefirst connectors of the divider, each second connector comprising acavity portion having an upper opening adapted to receive the secondengaging portion of the secondary divider and a retaining portionadapted to removably retain the secondary divider, each correspondingfirst connector and second connector adapted to removably retain thesecondary divider therebetween.
 14. The school desk and organizeraccording to claim 13, where the at least one side wall opposite thedivider further comprises a groove corresponding to each secondconnector adapted to receive a portion of the second end of thesecondary divider.
 15. The school desk and organizer according to claim13, where the tray is slidable in and out of the access opening.
 16. Theschool desk and organizer according to claim 13, where the cavityportion of the first connector and/or the second connector comprises aslot.
 17. The school desk and organizer according to claim 13, where thecavity portion and retaining portion of the first connector and/or thesecond connector forms a T-slot.
 18. The school desk and organizeraccording to claim 13, the connecting features on said two of the sidewalls each comprising a cavity portion having an upper opening adaptedto receive a divider wall engaging portion and a retaining portionadapted to removably retain the removable divider wall.
 19. The schooldesk and organizer according to claim 13, where the bottom comprises arecess in the bottom, and the removable divider wall comprises aprotrusion extending therefrom corresponding to the recess, theprotrusion and the recess positioned such that the protrusion engagesthe recess when the removable divider wall is installed in the tray. 20.The school desk and organizer according to claim 13, where the organizeris nestable with a second organizer when removed from the desk and theremovable divider wall and the secondary divider are removed.